Chapter 174


    I returned to Halphania, the royal capital of the Zamalia Kingdom, where my father lives, under the stifling heat of high noon .


    At once I visited various stores of acquaintances to sell the ancient gold coins I had received from Shuuya . After being referred to one store in particr, I hurried over there .


    At that specialized antique shop I could sell the ancient gold coins at a rate of one ancient gold coin for one tinum coin and five gold coins .


    Put together with the money I had received from Sol, it amounted to quite a hefty sum .


    Really, thank you, Shuuya .


    It took me a few days and I had to sell all ancient gold coins, but I was able to find an excellent doctor to spend all the money on the medical fees for my father .


    The doctor, a scaled manKaramnian, talked about a precious medicine, refined by using an Amros pearl, the web of a pigmin which can’t be found anywhere but on the ind of Amros located in the Lodelia Sea, the feather of the Holy Bird Cuncludo, and the flesh of merpeople .


    But it looks like he was right . Father’s terrible curse wound is gradually healing .


    “…You, the money for this medicine…”


    “Yeah, I did my best at work, so don’t worry about it . Dad, if you directly apply this medicine on the wound, it will be gone before long . You have to put up with this just a bit longer . ” (Yui)


    “Work, huh? I heard about the one that seeded my post…”


    “Don’t mind it . The Frogman family is still persisting . ” (Yui)


    “…Yeah, sorry . Yui, thank you a lot . ”


    Dad is very skinny .


    After he talked with vacant eyes to me, he closed his eyes and fell asleep .


    ◇◇◇◇


    A few days passed and the curse wound hadpletely disappeared from Dad’s body .


    He’s still bedridden, but he has visibly gotten better . I used the opportunity to ask Dad something that made me wonder .


    “Dad, how did you get this wound?” (Yui)


    “This is an injury I received from sacrificing myself in a battle against Hyatos-sama’s political enemy . ”


    “What did you say!?” (Yui)


    “You didn’t hear about it?”


    “…No . So you’re saying you didn’t received any decent support while suffering from illness, even though you protected Hyatos-sama?” (Yui)


    “It couldn’t be helped . In a certain way it’s a warning . I made a mistake while being no more than a game piece . ”


    Dad lowers his eyes slightly, seemingly feeling pathetic .


    “But…” (Yui)


    “―But you were hired, weren’t you? That became a big help, didn’t it?”


    “Ah, yeah…” (Yui)


    “Yeah, your skills as assassin are top notch . I’m sure you will manage to contribute in various ways…*cough* *cough*”


    Suddenly he has a coughing fit .


    “You alright, Dad!?” (Yui)


    “Yeah…I’m going to sleep for a bit . ”


    I actually didn’t tell Dad about it, but I still haven’t reported back to Hyatos-sama .


    More than a month has already passed since I’ve returned .


    Hyatos-sama should be fully aware of my activities sinceing to this mansion .


    If I don’t report to him quickly…is what I thought, but I’m scared of doing it .


    Until now it has never happened that I failed in following my orders .


    Sorry, Dad .


    Because of me…Dad, the Frogman family might be crushed .


    In depression I head over to Hyatos-sama’s big mansion and recount the details of the events .


    “…I see, so you’ve failed . ” (Hyatos)


    I bowed my head in the Marquis family’s office with its characteristic cedar wood scent .


    “I’m terribly sorry . ” (Yui)


    “And you’re quitete ining here, aren’t you? I heard that you made various efforts for your father?” (Hyatos)


    “Yes . ” (Yui)


    “Do you know why I didn’t made a move on your mansion?” (Hyatos)


    “Because Dad was a great soldier and assassin?” (Yui)


    I reflexively creased my forehead and looked at the Marquis .


    “Indeed . It’s because you and your father are former subordinates who contributed to my cause . But, you showed up herete…returning while knowing that orders are absolute for the 【Anbu’s1Right Hand】, didn’t you?” (Hyatos)


    Hyatos-sama narrows his fox eyes and res at me .


    “Yes . ” (Yui)


    “An immediate reply, huh…? You, Yui, did the atmosphere around you change somewhat after chasing after thatncer?” (Hyatos)


    This man is perceptive .


    Did he see through me finding my first love?


    “…N-No, I just experienced with my own body that there are opponents against whom my swordsmanship doesn’t work . ” (Yui)


    “I see . I’m well aware that there aren’t any opponents who were able to escape your assassination in Zamalia . I guess thencer you pursued is special after all . ” (Hyatos)


    “Yes . ” (Yui)


    “I’d like to state my own humble opinion, but are you going to pardon her failure, Your Excellency?”


    The one asking while bowing next to Hyatos is a lean man called Azekay who possesses cloudy, grey eyes that have a size like those of a goldfish .


    He’s a person originating from the ind nations and could be called an important leader of 【Anbu’s Right Hand】, possessing a uniquebat upation called Corpse Caster .


    “Of course there’s no way that I can simply forgive her . ” (Hyatos)


    Hyatos throws a parchment at me .


    Once I pick it up and look at it, it listed another assassination order .


    “If you follow this order, I will make an exception and forgive you . You are the sole survivor of Nebulous’s three masterpieces . Even as assassin, you can be a bodyguard . Losing your dual katana skill would be regrettable . ” (Hyatos)


    “Yes! Thank you very much . ” (Yui)


    “…Besides, the matter with Nereis’Kary went well . ” (Hyatos)


    It seems the job was finished while I wasn’t here .


    Certainly…besides the usual members Azekay and Rayku, several men and women that seem to be skilled fighters, who I don’t recognize, are standing in the back and in front of the right and left corner .


    Probably shadows that had been newly employed by the organization .


    I’m called one of Nebulous’s masterpieces, but in the end I’m no more than a single game piece .


    “…As for the matter with thatncer, we will pretend that we ran into a stone at the roadside . ”


    Probably because the kidnapping of the princess went smoothly, Hyatos-sama is in a good mood .


    I guess it has also been exposed to the people of Leften Kingdom that their leader has been involved with Zamalia and a marquis of Oseberia .


    “That might be the best . Rather than that, the n to lead the nobles of Leften Kingdom around by the nose was truly admirable . ”


    The one praising Hyatos is a tall man with a bald head called Rayku .


    “Rayku, your subordinates performed quite well, didn’t they?”


    “Yes, indeed . The prided 【Twilight Knights】 of Leften’s 【Secret Agency】 killed several of my skilled subordinates, but…we managed to seed . This is also a result owed to Your Excellency’s precise predictions andmands . As expected of Zamalia’s Sage . It’s said there’s no one equal to you in Zamalia, Marquis-sama . ” (Rayku)


    Rayku lines up one flowery ttery after the other while folding the outer corners of his eye with a smile .


    “Hahaha…well, I have the confidence to influence the current affairs better than the Lolju faction, the Rasny faction or the remnants of the old generation . ” (Hyatos)


    “Yes!” (Rayku)


    “The one more problematic than the mob of nobles within the country is the that female fox outside the country, Chardonnay…” (Hyatos)


    “…Oseberia Kingdom, huh? If I remember correctly, it was the subordinate of that Marquess who used a dark guild to maneuver around in the 【Violent Tower City Senapua】, wasn’t it?”


    “That’s right . It’s reliable information from 【Commandment of Rosen】 and 【Gate of the Hidden Evil】 after all . ”


    …Marquess of Oseberia?


    If she’speting against Hyatos, she must be quite the woman .


    “Oh? Yui, you were still here? Head over to your next job now . ” (Hyatos)


    A re shes in the Marquis’ eyes .


    “Yes, sir! Excuse me . ” (Yui)


    Tightly grasping the parchment with the target’s description, I leave the room right away .


    Ie out at the main street after exiting Hyatos-sama’s big mansion .


    The names of a certain merchant and his adventurer guards were mentioned in the order .


    It seems to be a peddler group that came from the ind nations .


    Anyway, if I don’t aplish this mission until Father recoverspletely…


    I press the switch of the magic tool for contacting the thieves guild located at the hanging bell in the harbor in order to head to the mission site . Although it might be called a magic tool, it only fires a magic fire into the sky .


    While taking a rest at a street’s terrace bar with an overhanging roof, I wait for the contact from the familiar of my acquaintance in the thieves guild .


    ―Ah, there it is, the crow familiar .


    Itnded on my table .


    “WHaT, yOu caMe, bACk, YuI? WhaT’S witH, YOur uSuAl, pARtnErs, ZiEVe, and apOL?”


    The ck cat-chan that followed Shuuya around didn’t talk, but this crow can pass on the words of its master .


    But, it’s limited to just repeating the words . It has no own consciousness .


    “Both died . Leaving that aside, it’s been a while, Ebi . Can I ask you for your help again?” (Yui)


    I show the parchment to the crow .


    “…TO fAiL tHe MIssIoN wiTh yOU thERE…” (Ebi)


    “Don’t mind it . I’d be happy if you could take a look just like in the old days . ” (Yui)


    “…UNderStooD . …tHEse gUYs aRe APANy THat haS thROwn iT’S WeiGht aROUnd hErE mosT REcenTLy . tHeY HavE a NEw sToRe loCATed aCroSS tHe PuPPet StrEeT oN thE HAlL SquarE . ThE gUarDS aRE calLed TaGGle BroThErS . ThEY aRe lYcaNtHRopeS . QuitE FoRmidAble . ” (Ebi)


    “Nothing less of you, Ebi . That was fast . Even if they are tough, it will be fine . I will make quick work of them myself . ” (Yui)


    “…i SeE, bYE ThEn――” (Ebi)


    The crow flew off .


    Lycanthropes, a kin of demons, huh?


    It will be a bother if they transform, but if they see these <Eyes of Bayc> even once, I should be able to defeat them with ease…


    But, this time I’m alone . Since Zieve, who excelled at sensing presences, isn’t with me anymore, I have to be careful .


    It will be fine as long as there’s no opponent at Shuuya’s level, but there’s definitely no way for there to be several people like that spear, no, magic spear user . I’m overthinking things .


    Alright, let’s get rid of the Taggle Brothers first .


    The Tsuchikado Companyes after that .


    I start running .


    ―Arriving at the Puppet Street, I immediately recognized the target store .


    <Hide> is already active .


    I check each nook and cranny around the store…


    Hidden alleys, the existence or absence of stairs and windows, the number of guards, and escape routes .


    I immediately spotted the Taggle Brothers .


    They are wearing spiked leather armor on their huge builds, and abnormal fur is growing out of their gloves, as characteristic for lycanthropes .


    I could also confirm moon symbols on their foreheads .


    Because they transform, they are often mistaken as mutation of leopard people, but lycanthropes are a totally different species .


    I confirm my targets with <Eyes of Bayc> .


    I will carry out the mission tonight .


    ……


    ◇◇◇◇


    The moonlight fully illuminates the Puppet Street .


    I d my whole body in the Magic Combat Style and ran up to the reddish brown roof of the building next to my target .


    After leaping over from there, Ind in the drain, arriving on top of the roof of the Tsuchikadopany’s residence .


    The two lycanthropes are standing guard on both sides of the entrance door, looking out over the street .


    I looked down right below at my two targets .


    ―Time to go in .


    Turning the des of Azelos & Versage downwards, I descend in a straight line .


    I killed one of the guards by stabbing with the two swords, obviously breaking the lycan’s spine .


    However, the other guard’s reaction is swift .


    Even after his brother was killed by me, he still drew his weapon calmly and closed the distance .


    “Who are you?”


    “…” (Yui)


    Just for caution’s sake, I activate <Eyes of Bayc> once more .


    “――Those eyes! I know――”


    The lycanthrope’s face was cut in two .


    I had shortened the distance with Magic Combat Step, and shed down with my back-hand sword, Versage .


    That’s what happens if you talk in the middle of a battle .


    Had he transformed, he might have gained a bit more time . What a stupid lycan .


    Now, I just got to finish off Tsuchikado and it will be over .


    I mustn’t displease Hyatos-sama until Dad recovers .


    Once he does…I’m going to chase after Shuuya .


    I want to meet him, I really want to see him…I feel as if my heart is being squeezed while a heavy weight is pressing down on my chest


    While thinking about such things, I trespass into the Tsuchikadopany through a side door .


    Goods are still stored in boxes here and there .


    Tsk, the female employees were still awake…


    I quickly hide myself and let them go past .


    At the end of a corridor I discover a bedroom different from the other rooms .


    Tsuchikado is probably in there .


    Once I enter, four people slept on the bed .


    …Two of them are children .


    There’s also a person that seems to be his wife .


    Only thepany’s Tsuchikado was mentioned in themission .


    It should be fine if I don’t kill…his family, but limit it to just the man .


    Am I…hesitating?


    I check his features as described in the order .


    It’s him . I thrust Azelos into the chest of the bearded human man .


    “…Papa . ”


    “!?”


    One of the children woke up .


    Our eyes meet .


    “Who?”


    It’s a child resembling the man .


    I have to deceive it .


    “…The teeth fairy of darkness . ” (Yui)


    “Teeth fairy-san, why are you here?”


    “…I came to see whether you’re sleeping properly . If you don’t close your eyes, I’m going to pull out your teeth so that you won’t be able to sleep anymore . ” (Yui)


    “Oki . I will close my eyes~”


    The child did as said…


    It hasn’t realized its father’s death .


    It’s a rule to kill all witnesses .


    But, for the current me that’s impossible .


    Even though I killed women and children without questions asked in the past .


    …It looks like the past me doesn’t exist anymore .


    I learned of the warmth of others after falling in love with Shuuya .


    I escaped from there in a hurry .


    Running away like an amateur without even using the escape route…


    Once I came to, I was crying .


    It, for me…it might be impossible to be an assassin any longer .


    I rushed to Hyatos’s mansion while wiping my tears away .


    Coming from the reception hall, I open his office’s door and enter .


    “…Wee back . I suppose you finished your mission properly . ” (Hyatos)


    “Yes . I killed the Taggle Brothers and the merchant of the targeted Tsuchikadopany . ” (Yui)


    “…Hmm . Elisha, what do you think?” (Hyatos)


    What? Hyatos turns his eyes towards behind me .


    I look over my shoulder .


    A masked woman in ck clothes appeared from the shadows, swaying like a haze .


    “Yes . She finished off the guarding lycans in a sh without allowing them to transform . As expected of Zamalia’s notorious assassin…she also killed the president of the Tsuchikadopany without a doubt, but…even after having been spotted by his family, she left without killing them . Thinking that it might be a grave mistake, I patched up things properly . ” (Elisha)


    What!? That means she killed those children!?


    I re at the woman called Elisha .


    “Oh my! What’s with that look of yours? Even though I followed up on your blunder…” (Elisha)


    “I see…that means your skills haven’t dulled . Yui, why did you turn a blind eye at them?” (Hyatos)


    I look back at Hyatos .


    He’s staring at me sternly with his eyes squinting .


    I should have been more careful…as there’s no way that he would loosen his monitoring .


    …As thought, I disqualify as professional killer .


    I guess I will honestly fess up now and here .


    “…It’s because I didn’t want to kill them . ” (Yui)


    Upon my words, Hyatos’s fox eyes widen in surprise .


    “That I would hear those words from you…” (Hyatos)


    “Hyatos-sama, what shall we do?” (Elisha)


    Elisha asked with a trace of killing intent in her voice .


    “She ignored the family, but she finished her job, right?” (Hyatos)


    “Yes . ” (Elisha)


    She nods .


    “Then let’s pretend it didn’t happen this time . ” (Hyatos)


    “…Yes, milord!” (Elisha)


    She answers with dissatisfaction while looking at me .


    I can’t properly see her eyes due to the mask, but she must be ring .


    It looks like Hyatos is going to forgive me .


    But…I can’t feel safe .


    His eyes are cold and piercing, and he’s clenching his teeth . If I make another mistake, he might make us suffer with his authority .


    I have to get back to Dad as soon as possible .


    “…Excuse me then . ” (Yui)


    “Yeah . Make sure toe back hereter since I’m going to hand you new instructions…” (Hyatos)


    “Yes, milord . ” (Yui)


    I leave at once, exit the mansion and return home .


    “Dad, I’m home . ” (Yui)


    “Wee back, Yui . ”


    It’s Dad . He came to wee me on his own feet .


    He’s still as skinny as before, but it’s Dad .


    “――Daddy!” (Yui)


    “Haha, hey, calm down a bit…you’re going to break my chest . ”


    “Ah! Sorry . ” (Yui)


    I immediately separated from him .


    “It looks like you can stand by yourself already . ” (Yui)


    “Yeah, as you can see my muscles have degenerated, so standing is the most I can do at the moment, I guess . ”


    “But, I’m happy . You survived . ” (Yui)


    “That’s true . However, there’s something important I have to tell you . ”


    Dad looked sad .


    “What? However, you should still rest some more to get better . ” (Yui)


    “No, I can’t burden my daughter any longer . …I thought about it all the time yesterday, but I n to discard my name as noble soon . And, I intend to try speaking with Hyatos-sama about leaving you alone . ”


    “Eh!? That’s in vain . It’s impossible that he will agree…I mean, even today he looked at me with his piercing fox eyes and…” (Yui)


    Although it’s still far off from his past self, Dad dons a stern expression when I start to get evasive .


    “Did something happen!?”


    “No, it’s not like that, but…I failed my assassination order, was entrusted with a job to prove myself again, and finished it safely, but as it seems that I still haven’t regained his trust, he looked at me harshly . ” (Yui)


    “…Yui, pack your things at once…”


    Dad instructed me with a hoarse voice while his expression became gloomy, obviously bing white as a sheet, even though he’s already pale .


    “Eh? Why?” (Yui)


    “No matter how excellent and talented a person, there’s no way for Hyatos-sama to forgive someone who made a mistake…”


    “But, at today’s mission report Hyatos clearly said that he will regard it as inconsequential . ” (Yui)


    “He said that to put you off guard . Besides, if he realizes that I recovered, he will likee to kill us . ”


    What’s the best thing to do…for Dad…?


    Shuuya…what should I do?


    “…Such a…but, where are we headed? This area is like his backyard . Besides, Dad, you can’t really move with that body of yours, can you?” (Yui)


    “…I thought about gaining a little bit more time, but I was a fool…I will remain here . You are to get out of the capital, using the coach in the back, and head to the Forlen Bay . There should be a hiding ce in the copse located inside the bay that full of shipwrecks . ”


    “No way . What are you talking about? Just when you finally recovered, Dad!” (Yui)


    “Yui . It’s okay . It’s fine for the bloodstained history of the Frogman family toe to an end . You’re an assassin, but you have a beautiful face resembling that of your mother in her youth . I don’t think that there are many men who can outdo you, but if you find one…you must not let him get away . ”


    Dad is about to leave the room to try breaking through the urgent situation .


    I stop him by grabbing his arm .


    His body is as light as if it’s a lie…and his legs are tottering a bit .


    It’s still impossible for Dad…


    “…I won’t allow you to do as you please . The person, who scolded me in the past, wouldn’t have said such fainthearted things . We will head to the Forlen Bay together . You understand?” (Yui)


    “But…”


    “Stop the annoying bickering! We will take the remaining medicine and ride the coach together . ” (Yui)


    “…Hahaha . ”


    Suddenly Dad widens his eyes andughs .


    “What!” (Yui)


    “Nah, just that Stop the annoying bickering was just like before…I guess we are birds of the same feather after all . ”


    “That’s only natural, no? Now, help me with the preparations . ” (Yui)


    “…No helping it, I guess I have to follow my daughter’s instructions . ”


    I put plenty of recovery potions which I bought against Dad’s sickness inside two knapsacks .


    There are food supplies at the hiding ce, but I still load some onto the coach, just for caution’s sake . I had Dad get on as well .


    The horses’ condition looks fine, so they will be able to gallop for quite a while .


    “―Dad, are you ready?” (Yui)


    I turn around to the back after getting onto the driver’s seat .


    “Yeah, I still don’t feel any presences around the house . Depart when the moon is hidden by clouds . I leave the the timing to you . ”


    “Ok . ” (Yui)


    And then, the instant the moon got covered by a big cloud ― I moved the coach .


    We rush out from behind the mansion in one go,ing out on the street .


    Leaving towards the eastern highway, I head towards the eastern gate .


    Since it’s veryte at night, there are few people out on the streets, allowing us to smoothly pass through the gate .


    “Dad, we safely got through the eastern gate!” (Yui)


    “Okay, there are no presences following us from behind either . Keep going at it with full speed . And don’t worry about the horses . ”


    “I know――!” (Yui)


    After that, I move the coach straight east for a day and night with breaks while keeping the coastline at my left .


    After a while we arrived at our hiding ce in the Forlen Bay that’s referred to as ship graveyard .


    Fortunately no pursuers seem to follow us .


    For one, for two, and then for five days no one approached our refuge inside the copse of trees .


    Dad drinks his medicine, eats food that included medicinal nts, and does muscle training, gradually recovering his healthy body .


    He recovered up to the point that he can grasp a weapon and do practice swings after a long time .


    And, since his skill in sensing presences has be sharper while I was not there, I left the task to Dad .


    I kill the monsters spawning in the vicinity .


    asionally there are monsters whoe to the sandy beach from the ship graveyard .


    Even now I was squaring off against a monster on the sandy beach .


    It’s a monster called Rayuna, apparently a unification of human and fish, with four, dark red eyeballs .


    The long, sharp ws growing on its five fingers are its main weapon .


    It’s skillfully handling its expendable ws…what a troublesome opponent .


    It extended two w swords from among its five fingers, and was on the verge of leaping at me again .


    ―But, I pruned the extended ws with <Double Shadow> after a <Dark de> with Azelos & Versage . Before it can extend its ws again, I kick the sand with Magic Combat Step, rotate and cut the Rayuna’s torso in a straight line with <Dancing sh> .


    With this, it’s the tenth .


    I don’t expect any other Rayuna toe here for the moment .


    I saw them turn around to the shallows and then run away, withdrawing to their dwelling in the ship graveyard .


    Defeating such monsters has be a daily task . After talking with Dad about the escape routes around here, I nted traps and the peaceful days continued for seven days while I felt as if light green evil discouragingly spread from the tree stumps…and then, on the next day…


    At lunch Dad, who had practiced, suddenly entered the hut with a pale face .


    “A great number of pursuers hase . It seems Hyatos-sama has found this ce . . ”


    “Eh!? Even though there was supposedly no presence that clung to us . ” (Yui)


    “There are probably many fellows who have learned a <Hide> that exceeds my presence search . I guess he had an expert follow us . ”


    “We have to escape! Besides――” (Yui)


    At the moment I tried to head outside, a ck clothed woman holding a drawn de stormed into the room while throwing an earthenware jar on the ground, causing it to burst loudly .


    I was toote…


    “Pathetic, former assassin and her father, who has been allowed to stay a live as a warning . ”


    It’s a woman wearing a white mask .


    She was called Elisha by Hyatos .


    “I won’t let you guys do as you please!” (Yui)


    “Humph, your assassin skills are fairly good, but why had you been Hyatos-sama’s favorite despite being unable to sense the difference in numbers? Well, I guess you offered him your seedy-looking body like a prostitute . From now on I will be Hyatos-sama’s favorite by using my own abilities . In the end, you’re just a stupid woman that can only use katana, that means――” (Elisha)


    The woman, spitting vulgar words, handles her katana, which was d in a ck light, like a leaf that’s shaken by the wind . She unleashes a sword thrust towards my breast .


    While quickly warding off her frontal thrust with Versage’s de, causing the peculiar metallic sound characteristic to sword shing, I move sideways .


    “Tsk, eat this . ” (Elisha)


    The woman clicks her tongue and moves to the back of the small hut in order to cover her nks .


    “Elisha, did you forget what you had been told by Hyatos-sama?”


    “Saizol…I know . ” (Elisha)


    After holding a conversation with therade behind her, I saw how she nced at me with her blue eyes below the mask…and then retreated outside the hut .


    “Dad, it looks like we’ve beenpletely surrounded . ” (Yui)


    “Yeah, I guess we have no choice but to face them . …I’m still not at peak condition, but even I have techniques that I acquired on various battlefields . I’m the man called Shadow Ogre Kaldo in 【Anbu’s Right Hand】 . ―Yui, we will cut our way through together!” (Kaldo)


    Dad powerfully swings the longsword in his hands .


    It’s still not at the level of his past self, but his sh is plenty sharp .


    I recall the days when I trained under him .


    “Ok . The escape route we confirmed the other day is fine?” (Yui)


    “Yeah, we travel along the sandy beach and then take a boat at the southern Ruja Vige . ” (Kaldo)


    “Aight . ” (Yui)


    I escape our hiding ce with Dad through a hidden door in the back .


    We plunged into the grove of trees while scattering mineral dust .


    But, one ck clothed pursuer after the other shows up between the trees .


    We can’t get away .


    “Ugh――”


    I bring down one with a sharp upward sh of Azelos .


    “Don’t give up!”


    Dad’s throwing knife killed a guy that assaulted me with his sword from the opposite side by hitting him in the forehead with <Throw> .


    While straightforwardly closing the distance to a spear holder, who closes in on father to stab him from behind, with Magic Combat Step, I imagine Shuuya’s spear thrust, and unleash a sword thrust with Versage .


    I finished off the spear holder by stabbing through his heart .


    “Nice move . ” (Kaldo)


    “Same to you, Dad . ” (Yui)


    At first it went well, but the ck clothed attackers gather around us sessively, obviously surrounding us .


    Besides, it bothers me that that woman, Elisha, still hasn’t shown up .


    “Oh my, oh my, the soldiers…even if you ran away, your sword skills are top notch after all, I guess . But, your shes have grown dull . You aren’t able to conceal your fatigue . ”


    This voice…so Elisha hase, huh?


    “Shut up! Are you all talk? Aren’t you going to attack?” (Yui)


    I responded to Elisha angrily .


    “Just wait…I will kill you after humiliating you so much that this cheeky mouth of yours will beg for mercy . ” (Elisha)


    “Elisha, do your job instead of prattling silly things . ”


    “Yeah, yeah . ” (Elisha)


    A masked group appeared alongside Elisha .


    Skilled assassins, huh?


    The masked man is ancer…


    Shuuya… I want to see you…


    “Yui! Don’t space out . ”


    Alongside Dad’s stern voice, we split to the left and right .


    Moving flexibly like in his heydays, Dad parries the sharp thrust of thencer while dodging Elisha’s sword .


    “The final moment’s of the White-Eyed Death God are mine!”


    A masked man holding two swords shed at me while shouting something like that . He performs a rotational sh with a skill simr to Dancing sh .


    ―Extending both, Azelos & Versage, to the front in alternation, I block the continuous, rotational de attacks .


    Once I blocked all of them, I immediately activate <Dancing sh> .


    While revolving like a spinning top, Iunch double katana attacks with Azelos and Versage at the masked guy .


    Just like me, he blocked the continuous attacks, but the difference of our des became apparent at this point . At the moment his des broke after being chipped by my sword attacks, I seed at cutting his throat .


    A single skilled fighter went down, but Dad’s leg is wounded, and he’s about to suffer another strike .


    “――Dad!” (Yui)


    I immediately run up next to Dad, and block Elisha’s thrust, which could have be a fatal blow, by knocking it away with Versage .


    “Tsk, again?” (Elisha)


    Elisha seems unable to stomach that I could defend against her thrust . While clicking her tongue once more, she fixes her sword stance .


    Meanwhile the number of masked leader-ss fighters increased by one and then two .


    Dad and I confront the surrounding enemies while standing back to back .


    Our opponents slowly narrow the encirclement .


    “Yui, I’m happy . After all I’m able to fight back-to-back with you like this . ” (Kaldo)


    Dad tries to encourage me from behind even while we are in this precarious situation .


    “Dad…” (Yui)


    I say Dad, but I, Shuuya…help…where are you!? I fruitlessly screamed towards Shuuya in my mind .


    “It’s as Hyatos-sama said…your abilities…eyes like a death god . What annoying eyes, they are…your movements have be sharp . ” (Elisha)


    Elisha says while looking at my <Eyes of Bayc> .


    Right after that ― it’s very faint, no, familiar, unforgettable, red border lines appeared inside the forest .


    Eh!?